More than 2,200 volunteers  descended on West Charlotte the week of October 2nd as part of  Habitat for Humanity’s 37th Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project.  Homeowners worked alongside Habitat Humanitarians and country music superstars  Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, Habitat staff, and thousands of volunteers to build  27 new single-family homes.   

“It is not easy to create housing. We have a full-on housing crisis,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “This is a wonderful demonstration of what’s possible when people of goodwill come together.” 

Twenty Coke Consolidated volunteers from the executive leadership team and Veterans Teammate Resource Group worked throughout the week on house #13, helping frame the walls, hang drywall and install windows for a deserving homeowner. 

“It’s emotional to know that you’re giving someone a home that they can be safe in and raise a family in,” said Senior Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis Matt Blickley. 

In addition to serving on a house, Coke Consolidated also  provided  refreshments for the week to all volunteers — that’s more than  50,000  bottles and cans provided.   

To keep the worksite clean and green, Coke Consolidated also created a closed loop  at the site, providing recycling bins to ensure bottles and cans were recycled.  All bottles and cans collected were taken to a Charlotte-owned recycling facility, R3cycle, and placed on the path to be remade into new bottles and cans.  

“Sustainability is very important at Coke Consolidated,” said Todd Marty, Senior Director of Sustainability. “As volunteers consume and stay hydrated, we want to ensure they recycle so every bottle we collect will go back to our processors to be remade into new bottles.” 

Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood closed the event with a communal blessing of the homes, reflecting on the spirit of unity and hope experienced throughout the week.  

“May these homes be a beacon of light and love in the world and may they stand as a testament of the power of unity and compassion,” said Yearwood.